Dynamine (Methylliberine)
Methylliberine, sold as 'Dynamine', is a purine alkaloid related to theacrine and caffeine found in kucha tea. It is marketed for fast-onset, short-duration energy and focus and is frequently combined with theacrine and caffeine. Human data is limited to a few small safety and pharmacokinetic studies.
01 Overview
Methylliberine is closely related to theacrine but with faster onset and shorter action, making it a popular 'quick hit' stimulant in pre-workouts. It is promoted for energy, focus and mood without the crash associated with caffeine.
The evidence base is small: a handful of company-associated safety and pharmacokinetic studies report tolerability at typical doses, but efficacy trials are sparse. It is often stacked with theacrine and caffeine, which can alter their kinetics.
02 Mechanism
Purine alkaloid presumed to act as an adenosine receptor antagonist and to modulate dopamine signalling, similar to caffeine and theacrine but faster-acting.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common | 100–200 mg | Oral | Doses of 100-150 mg common; used in safety studies up to ~350 mg/day. |
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast energy and focusRapid onset stimulation reported, shorter than theacrine. | Moderate | Anecdotal | |
| Mood supportReported positive mood, plausibly dopaminergic. | Mild | Anecdotal |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Increased heart rateSmall increases in heart rate observed, greater when stacked with caffeine. | Mild | Uncommon | Clinical | |
| JitterinessRestlessness at higher doses or in sensitive users. | Mild | Uncommon | Anecdotal |